Sinje-Cape Mount — Culture Ambassador, Juli Endee, has emphasized the need for fair justice to prevail to uphold peace being enjoyed in the country.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Speaking in Grand Cape Mount County recently, when she was appreciated by traditional women for her role played in maintaining peace, promoting Liberian culture and tradition void of female genital mutilation, and as well encouraging them to send their girl children to school, Amb. Endee noted that peace will continue to reign, once justice is served without partially.
According to her, the country is visibly divided and the need to now reconcile citizens is also key to upholding peace.
“We should start peace and reconciliation today, we should love one another today, we should not allow elections to divide us, the elections finished, that’s what they called democracy,” Amb. Endee said.
“Justice comes with peace, so you must respect me and I respect you. Let’s stay from the lies.”
The Traditional Queen frowned at lies and encouraged the women to be honest about people and what they do.
As she has repeatedly echoed, Amb. Endee encouraged the traditional women to remain committed to positive traditional practices and abstain from the harmful aspects.
Amb. Endee said: “The name they called Zoe, it’s God that gave you the power, Zoe doesn’t go after people, Zoe honors and respects people. “With this, she encouraged the need for initiation without mutilation.
As many have joined the campaign to end female genital mutilation (FGM), Amb. Endee urged campaigners to exhibit cultural dignity and respect for the traditional people. “we must keep our culture, and in keeping our culture, we must respect our elders.”
Encouraging the president-elect
Amb. Juli Endee is confident that Mr. Boakai will regard the traditional women.
This, she believes is possible since Boakai himself is a man of tradition.
She further admonished President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai to include women in his planned agriculture program for the country.
“I’m convinced that he will be fast-sighted to know, as he stated in his letter that he’s President for Liberia and not one people, and as he said that, we will look up, we look down, we will look right, we will look left and put our hand behind him,” Amb. Endee stated.
Amb. Endee recounted her war days experience in Grand Cape Mount and noted that she was able to organize the Liberia Crusaders for Peace to help resolve conflict through a peace program at Bo-Water aside and across the Sierra Leonean border.
She said: “I’m not new to Cape Mount. Before I became traditional queen, I knew Grand Cape Mount county. My aunty, Musu Dudu Tucker, she’s from Cape Mount, I have cousins from Cape Mount,” she records her connection with the county.
Considering her experience, she frowned at conflict but elected to remain focused on promoting peace.
Amb. Endee then lauded the traditional women of Grand Cape Mount County, whom she noted, took her by surprise for said appreciation.
The traditional women during their appreciation ceremony held at the Sinje Youth Center in Gand Cape Mount County, said they stand with Amb. Endee in her endeavors and will continue to remain with her.
For bringing them to the limelight, the traditional women saw no other appropriate way to prove to Amb. Juli Endee that they recognizes how she strives to have significantly impacted their lives, then through a genuine traditional manner.
“Let God forgive us, let God bless our daughter. Our Chiefs are here. This is just a small portion of it, but after the season we the Zoes and the chairman will invite you because something that never happened for the women is happening for us,” they stated in separate remarks.
Amongst several others, they said through Amb. Endee’s instrumentality, the voices of women continue to be aired and their participation has been vividly seen.
The women distinguished Amb. Endee’s gesture towards them as being unmatched and appreciated for her commitment to their lives, saying, their recognition today was greatly influenced by the traditional queen.
Moreover, the women enunciated, that their decision to appreciate the Culture Ambassador is also backed by her role in providing the necessary awareness and education about schooling girl children who are in the hinterland.
They have guaranteed to organize a special honoring ceremony in her respect but said that the appreciation event was intended to let her know their intention.
“The reason we are calling to honor you is because you people have given our women the power. That has caused us to stand and build the house. Besides, previously we didn’t consult the women. Now when you are doing anything good, if you don’t consult your wife then you are not doing anything good,” one of the traditional women noted.
Besides, the women presented LD$33,000 (Thirty-three Thousand LD) plus 15 chickens to Amb. Endee as an indication of their clear mind towards her.
Meanwhile, the women said that the honoring event will take place immediately following the inauguration of President-elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai.